Widmer Rotator IPA #4: Spiced IPA

The brewers at Widmer Brothers have been very busy lately. A few weeks ago they announced the release of W'12 Dark Saison. Yesterday, they revealed that the fourth release in their Rotator IPA series will be Spiced IPA. The full press release is shown below.

A few intriguing tidbits about this beer... First, it was brewed in collaboration with the San Diego Homebrew Club. Second, it uses an eclectic mix of spices: Malty Assam Black Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Star Anise, Black Pepper, and Cardamom.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Jan. 19, 2012 – Widmer Brothers Brewing introduces the next release in its Rotator IPA Series and the brewery’s first nationally-released collaboration brew, Spiced IPA. Originating from a recipe created by Paul Sangster and developed with Chris Stawney of San Diego’s Quality Ale and Fermentation Fraternity (QUAFF), an award-winning San Diego Homebrew Club, Spiced IPA offers an intriguing twist on the West Coast’s favorite beer style. Blending familiar flavors with unexpected ingredients, this hop-forward yet balanced IPA carries notes of black tea and spices that come together, much like the brewers behind it, to create one amazing brew. Spiced IPA is a nationwide release available in limited quantities on draught and in six and 12-packs at select retailers.

“From the very first sip, we were impressed by Spiced IPA,” said Joe Casey, Widmer Brothers brewmaster. “In many ways, Paul Sangster’s recipe embodies what Widmer Brothers beers are all about: unique interpretations of classic beer styles. This was a fantastic project to be a part of, and we look forward to continuing to brew more collaboration beers with homebrewers in the future.”

Spiced IPA is the fourth beer of the Rotator IPA Series which features a new, limited-run IPA every few months. “The idea for this beer came from trying to integrate the interesting variety of spice flavors of chai tea with the fruity flavors of a West Coast style IPA,” said Sangster. “As Chris and I tested the recipe, we focused on trying to achieve a good balance between the citrusy and pine-like hop aromas and flavors we love in American IPAs with the herbal and spicy tea notes to give a more complex and full palate flavor sensation. We are really pleased with the way it turned out and are thrilled to be brewing it with Widmer Brothers.”

“We started homebrewing in the early 80’s, and have been part of the local homebrew community in Portland ever since. Throughout the years, we’ve released several collaboration beers locally through our partnership with the Oregon Brew Crew and are excited to release this collaboration beer with QUAFF,” said Rob Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “Spiced IPA is a great example of the innovative recipes that homebrewers are out there brewing today. We really enjoyed brewing this beer and hope others will like it, too.”

About Spiced IPA

In the spirit of collaboration, Widmer Brothers Brewing teamed up with QUAFF to brew Spiced IPA, a beer that offers an intriguing twist on the West Coast’s favorite style. The spices used in this beer include Malty Assam Black Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove, Star Anise, Black Pepper, and Cardamom.

Ingredients

Malts: Pale, White Wheat, Caramel 40, Carapils

Hops: Alchemy, Millenium, Falconer, Zeus, Galaxy, and Teamaker

Profile

Original Gravity: 16

Apparent Extract: 2.5

IBU: 70

Alcohol by Volume: 7%

Color: 10

Spiced IPA has a suggested retail price of $8.99 per six-pack and $14.99 per 12-pack.

About the Rotator IPA Series

Widmer Brothers brewers’ recipe book is full of IPA recipes. Rather than just pick one, the brewers wanted to share as many of these unique brews as they could with beer lovers everywhere. As a result, Widmer Brothers created the Rotator IPA Series, an ever-changing offering of different IPAs. The series was created to showcase the brewers’ penchant for experimentation and exhibit their freedom for innovation within the broad IPA style. Spiced IPA is the fourth beer in our Rotator IPA Series, and was preceded by X-114 IPA, Falconer’s IPA, and most recently, O’Ryely IPA. The Rotator IPA Series beers are only available while supplies last.

5 comments:

I've been waiting for this! I've saved one of each of the previous Rotators and their boxes. Do you know if this is anything like Teaser? The X114 box had four IPAs listed and Teaser was one of them. I better get back into blogging and post about all four.